Stars find excuses for lack of interest

It was one of the more honest explanations a band has used when cancelling a tour.

When the US folk band The Civil Wars axed their worldwide tour, including shows in Sydney and Melbourne, their reasoning was ''internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition''.

In the past 12 months, about 25 bands have cancelled tours in Australia.

Madonna told her fans she had to spend more time with her four children; Lana Del Rey said she was ''not ready to tour'' (before rescheduling months later); George Michael said he was suffering from anxiety and Smash Mouth claimed they had a ''scheduling conflict'' (they are thought to be rescheduling, too).

But one of Australia's leading promoters, Michael Chugg, said a band's reason for cancelling a tour could generally be linked to poor sales.

''It's a tough one, because no one likes cancelling because of lack of sales,'' Chugg said.

As a promoter, Chugg - who runs Chugg Entertainment - would rather cancel a tour than have an empty hall.

But he said bands should be transparent as to why they are cancelling. ''You have to be as honest as you can. [George Michael] was very, very sick and I would not doubt [that he] didn't rest enough and had to get well,'' he said.

''A couple of times we have cancelled. Bands should just say there was lack of f---ing audience interest.''

Booking venues that are too ambitious, such as the Opera House, is a problem that could lead to cancelling an entire tour. Chugg said that while it might be more prestigious for a band to be playing at a large venue, they have to be realistic in what kind of audience they are going to get.

While some excuses might sound ''bizarre'', it doesn't mean they are not true, the head of entertainment management at the Australian Institute of Music, Rob Cannon, said. ''They might be important issues for the artist,'' he said.

Mr Cannon said bands often book several nights at smaller venues but only publicly announce two shows - so the tickets will sell out quickly and appear ''scarce''. When the two shows do sell out, the band can ''add'' a show.

''But that extra show has been in the bag the whole time,'' he said. ''It's brand preservation.''

On Saturday the US band Beirut pulled out of the Harvest festival in Sydney. They had also cancelled their side show at the Enmore Theatre on Wednesday night due to ''illness''.

Promoter A.J. Maddah wouldn't disclose which member of the band was ''seriously ill'' but said there was ''sufficient severity'' for the band to cancel their performance.

Mark Callender, 24, bought tickets for the band's Wednesday show with a group of mates. While they had to alter their plans, Mr Callender said he would still see the band if they come out to Australia again.